News
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Meet former Perugia mayor at Feb. 17 event
Many of you know that 2018 marks the 25th anniversary of our sister city friendship with Perugia. We hope you can join us on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. to kick-off a year of celebration and remembrance.
That morning, former Perugia mayor Mario Valentini will be at Caffe Umbria in Pioneer Square to meet with our members and friends. Born and raised in Perugia, Valentini served as mayor from 1990 to 1995. In support of the sister city arrangement, Valentini traveled to Seattle to sign the first sister city agreement with former Seattle mayor Norm Rice. Since then, he's kept in contact with many people involved in the sister cities on both continents.
Valentini worked for many years in the Regione dell'Umbria, where he was head of environmental planning. Today he is president of the Fortebraccio Association, a sports and community club. He is the author of three books, enjoys gardening and cooking, and is an avid hiker and skier. He is also the father of board member Elisabetta, shown with her father in the beautiful countryside outside Perugia.
This is a no-host event and open to all members. No RSVP is needed.
We are currently planning other anniversary events that will take place in both Seattle and Perugia. Watch for upcoming issues of Il Grifone or check in on Facebook to get complete details as they become available.
Date: Saturday, Feb. 17, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Caffe Umbria, 320 Occidental Avenue S, Pioneer Square
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
"Dining and Dancing: Etruscan Funeral Art": Feb. 27 lecture
Much of our knowledge of the pre-Roman Etruscan civilization comes from their tombs. Music, dancing, feasting: All were featured in their funerary art. The famous Sarcophagus of the Spouses, for example, shows a couple sharing a banqueting couch.
Join us for a close-up look at these fascinating ritual objects in "Dining and Dancing: Etruscan Funeral Art" with art historian Rebecca Albiani. The lecture will be held Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
Albiani was featured last year in Italo-Americano newspaper. Read more about her art background and her lively lectures in this Italo-Americano article: italoamericanodigital1262017_selected-pages
So if you dig Etruscan tomb art, join us at this Feb. 27 lecture. It is FREE to SPSCA members. RSVP here if you are a member.
The cost is $5 for non-members. Pay online here.
Date: Tuesday, February 27
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: 1120 8th Avenue, 4th floor, Seattle WA
Street parking is available.
Friday, January 19, 2018
Piazza Perugia -- it's official!
The City of Seattle installed a sign at the entrance of Piazza Perugia this week. The piazza name was "Americanized" but we understand it will be repainted in the future. 
Piazza Perugia and its beautiful Deruta tiles look amazing, even in the rain! Be sure to visit this newest tribute to our sister city friendship. 
Monday, January 8, 2018
Dig Etruscan tomb art? Join us Feb. 27
Much of our knowledge of the pre-Roman Etruscan civilization comes from their tombs. Music, dancing, feasting: All were featured in their funerary art. The famous Sarcophagus of the Spouses, for example, shows a couple sharing a banqueting couch.
Join us for a close-up look at these fascinating ritual objects in "Dining and Dancing: Etruscan Funeral Art" with art historian Rebecca Albiani. The lecture will be held Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
Albiani's lectures are lively and informative, offering a snappy combo of facts and witty observations that delight audiences. For two decades, she has given an immensely popular 10-part lecture series at the Frye Art Museum. She also lectures at the Women's University Club, Vashon Island Arts and the Creative Retirement Institute at Edmonds Community College.
Albiani has a dual major from UC Berkeley and spent her junior year abroad in Venice. She earned a master's in art history at Stanford and entered the doctoral program there. After a fellowship at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., she spent a second year in Venice as a Fulbright scholar.
Learn more about the Etruscans of Umbria at this Feb. 27 lecture. It is FREE to SPSCA members. RSVP here if you are a member. The cost is $5 for non-members. Pay online here.
DATE: Tues., Feb. 27, 2018, 7:30 pm
LOCATION: 1120 8th Avenue, 4th floor, Seattle WA (Street parking is available)
COST: Free to members; $5 for nonmembers.
RVSP: Seating is limited. Let us know if you are coming.
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Four members earn scholarships to study in Perugia
Four SPSCA members recently learned they received scholarships to study Italian at the historic Universita per Stranieri in Perugia. Awardees for 2018 are: Jennifer Clancy, Danielle Hayden, Carolyn Law and Cynthia Musto.
Each awardee brings her own talents and interests to Perugia. One recipient is a baker who had studied Italian in Siena in the past. Another is a retired doctor and third-generation Italian who has traveled to other parts of Italy but has never been to Perugia.
The third scholarship recipient is studying Italian at Bellevue College currently and the fourth, a visual artist, is married to an Italian and excited to work on improving her own language skills.
Each recipient receives one month of tuition, plus a stipend to help defray costs, such as apartment rental or travel. Two of the scholarships are funded by long-time sister city supporters: the Hans Lehmann Scholar and the Caffe Umbria Scholar. Thank you to both of our scholarship sponsors for their support!
This year, the committee received more than 20 applications by the Oct. 31 deadline. The top eight were interviewed and our group of four selected. Congratulations to all of them!
Make your new year's resolution early and look into applying for a scholarship for 2019. Find out more here.